My 10 yr old DS

[sherreis]

We're getting ready to book our trip for Thanksgiving week and will be staying at Pop Century or Coronado Springs. I started to explain the meal plan to DH today. He is saying that it is not worth it. From what everybody has told me, it is worth it. However, we have a 10 yr old son (will be 11 at time of travel) who often doesn't finish childrens' meals so we cannot see paying $38/day for him. Would we be able to pay separately for him so we don't purchase the meal plan for him - we would definitely purchase it for our 6 yr old DS as it's a great value for him.

Please help me explain this to DH.

This is my 1st post here - just found this board. I'll take any other hints as well.

Sherri

 

[briar_rose_59]

As far as I know, all people in a room must have all of the same package components (types of tickets, dining plan or not, etc.) I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will correct me.

Ps. Welcome to the DIS! You'll love it here. I swear, these folks know everything And have an amazing trip

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Hi sherreis! to the DISboards!

The DDP (Disney Dining Plan) is a package addon. Disney's rule for packages is that everyone on the reservation must have the same thing - same tickets, same addons, etc. You would not be able to get the dining plan for yourselves and not get it for your son.

I think that instead of looking at it as spending $39/night for your DS, try to look at it as spending $114/night to feed your family. The chances are pretty good that you would still spend less on the DDP than you would to pay OOP (out of pocket) for the same meals. This would be especially true if you were planning to do any character meals, Hoop De Doo or Spirit of Aloha.

To get an idea of what food is available at WDW and how much it costs, check the link to the menus at the top of this forum. Keep in mind that the sales tax in WDW is 6.5% in most locations. The DDP covers the tax on all food and also takes care of your gratuity in the TS restaurants. This might give you a better handle of what your potential OOP expenses could be without the DDP.

 

[thunderbird1]

Even though it's not relevant for our upcoming trip, for next year I'm curious, too. It seems to me that if our (then) 10yo dd only wants to eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese, it would make sense for us to pay cash for her meals (we would gladly pay a surcharge, even double the kids' meal price) and save her ADULT credits to use on a couple of extra ADULT meals. That way, we could have more than one TS meal on a couple of days.

With all the controversy over how Disney will get regain control of the dining plan, I'm not sure splitting the bill in that way will be allowed. Anyone have any real life experience with this lately?

Edited to add: Whoops! Just noticed the part about not purchasing the plan for the entire family. I know that wouldn't be allowed, but what about purchasing the plan for a 10 yo but not using it for him/her--instead using it for extra meals for the other adults in the party?

I realize this is probably just idle chatter at this point, since no one can really say what CM's at various restaurants will allow in the future (ie, the next meal). But, I have nothing better to do tonight!

 

[bicker]

No, but that's really it: idle chatter. Even direct experience on-site is anecdotal, since folks have reported having different experiences at the same restaurant during the same week. As things are now, folks should expect stringent application of the Dining Plan, and be delighted when exceptions are made for them.

 

[katied]

For our upcoming trip, I made the decision to add DDP after adding up all our ADRs and then thinking about what we would order at each (some are Character meals, so it's a flat charge). Then I added $25 per QS meal (2 adults, 1 DNiece (10), 1 DNephew (8), and $8/day in water. When I compared this total to the cost of DDP, I was saving money with DDP - so it makes sense for us. We normally have 1 TS meal/day (it's a nice break from all the walking and heat), and we normally do about 4 charater meals/trip. Overall, a good deal even paying adult prices for a 10 yr. old (because we'd be paying adult prices for her anyway at 4 of the 6 TS meals). In addition, it means there's just less stress about things. I don't have to worry about what food costs. If DNephew is unhappy with the kids meal options, maybe DNiece can swap food with him at times.

So - I guess you need to think about how your family will be eating, and if the DDP makes sense.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

It really depends on your eating habits as to whether or not the DDP would be worthwhile. If you know you will definitely eat at least one full-service meal per day, then the DDP would probably save you money in the long-run. Just do a "pretend" meal plan for one day and then look at the menus on www.allearsnet.com to get an idea of how much it would cost OOP vs. DDP...then decide which is cheaper. Show this to DH so he can actually see the numbers. Also, you would have to include everyone on the plan, but if your younger child eats more than the 10 yr. old -- just trade their entrees and let the older child eat the kids meal. Or, *if* it is still allowable, let the 10 yr. old eat your appetizer as his entree. That will allow the credits to go a little further.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Depending on how many buffets / preplated / all you care to eat meals you are doing the DDP may still be worth it with a 10 yr old light eater. Regardless of how much he eats, you will still be charged the adult price for him at these eateries.

 

[Kycha]

Something else to consider, the dining plan cost includes the tax and tip. So, when you are looking at the menus and trying to guesstimate your oop cost, take that into consideration.

 

[Cookie Princess]

DS was 10 last year and we paid for the DDP. It was great. He is a small eater and picky, but loved to be able to order whatever he wanted. With the amount of steaks he ordered, I probabably saved money and he could still order a kid's meal if he wanted. We had planned to pay for the plan again, but are going when it is free this year. Don't forget that $38 dollars also includes a snack and a counter service meal, and as someone else said, your tip.